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Observation: Big Willow

Observation Date
1/28/2019
Observer Name
Grainger, Young, Olafsen, Orton
Region
Salt Lake » Big Willow
Location Name or Route
Big Willow
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
A full spectrum of snow surfaces worked by this last week's wind and solar in upper elevations. Northerly winds textured, scoured, cross-loaded and sastrugi-ed(?) North aspects while the South aspects have been through a melt-freeze cycle for the past 3 days and lots of evidence of wet-loose activity on steeper slopes up to 9800 ft.
Yet another set of avalanches from the natural cycle in the typical mid-slope areas under the cliffband on steep North-facing terrain in the Big Willow Cirque. The crowns have been filled in but areas were still multiple feet deep.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Same wind and solar elements present on specific aspects with the isolated chances for persistent deep triggers in complex terrain.
Comments
Prevalent N-facing crowns from natural cycle.
Loose Wet debris up to 4 ft. piles off steeper S pitches.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates